RED Founder Jim Jannard Steps Down, Says He’s Tired of Criticism

In a “final post” in the REDUSER forum for RED Digital Cinema cameras, Jim Jannard announced today that he is stepping down as “the face” of RED Digital Cinema, the company he founded in 2005.

“I read on CML and other idiotic forums, that I an [sic] a hypester, a scam artist,” Jannard writes in reference to Cinematography Mailing List, the mailing list for professional cinematographers founded in 1996 by cinematographer Geoff Boyle. “I just have to wonder what these guys are smoking. But I have to say… they have gotten to me. I don’t need this. I don’t deserve this. Life is short and I am tired.”

In the post Jannard singles out critics, in particular Boyle and director of photography Art Adams, as well as other members of “CML and other idiotic forums.”

He also outlines his reasons for founding RED, and delineates what he believes are the company’s accomplishments. “My thought was to create a film alternative that actually was the equal or better to film in every aspect,” he writes.

According to Jannard, RED president Jarred Land will take over as the public face of the company. “I will now sink into the background, I hope with my reputation intact,” Jannard concludes. “I will work on the future of digital cinema… behind the scenes.”

Jannard previously founded apparel and eyewear company Oakley, Inc., which he sold in 2007 for more than $2 billion.

COMMENTS

MORE POSTS

(Sponsored by Workbook) The Launch of the new Workbook.com Combines the Best User Experience and Access to the Best Talent. As the creative industry has rapidly evolved over the past several years, Workbook and its contributors have continued to keep pace with the latest trends. More photographers now direct live action, illustrators increasingly explore animation,... More ›

California-based Brooks Institute and Massachusetts-based Hallmark Institute of Photography have cancelled classes for the fall and announced plans to close down. The two schools, both private for-profit visual arts colleges, have struggled over the past decade with declining enrollments, financial stress, and management shake-ups. Administrators are also blaming new regulations regarding for-profit schools. “[R]ecent changes... More ›

When we were researching our story “What Lawyers See When They Look at Editorial Photography Contracts,” which appeared in the June issue of PDN, we asked photographers to tell us about editorial contracts they feel are unfair to photographers. We received a copy of a Condé Nast contract sent to a photographer in 2013 as... More ›